Exterior rearview mirror assembly for vehicle

ABSTRACT

An exterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle includes a mirror head and a mounting base, with a camera module disposed at the mirror head. The camera module includes a camera having a field of view exterior of the vehicle when the mirror assembly is attached at the vehicle. The camera module is extendable and retractable relative to a mirror casing of the mirror head. With the camera module retracted and with the mirror assembly attached at the vehicle, the camera module is oriented such that its field of view encompasses a blind spot region at least at the body side of the vehicle. With the camera module extended and with the mirror assembly attached at the vehicle, the camera module may be oriented such that its field of view encompasses a region at least along a body side of a trailer being towed by the vehicle.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/142,194, filed Apr. 29, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,676,336,which claims the filing benefits of U.S. provisional applications, Ser.No. 62/197,871, filed Jul. 28, 2015; Ser. No. 62/158,141, filed May 7,2015, and Ser. No. 62/155,710, filed May 1, 2015, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties. U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/142,194 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/312,056, filed Jun. 23, 2014, now U.S.Pat. No. 9,487,142, which claims the filing benefits of U.S. provisionalapplications, Ser. No. 61/875,349, filed Sep. 9, 2013 and Ser. No.61/839,110, filed Jun. 25, 2013, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of exteriorrearview mirror assemblies for vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide an automotive exterior rearview mirror assemblythat includes one or more accessories, such as a light source and/or acamera or the like. The exterior mirror assembly may include visualindicators such as turn signal indicators and blind zone indicators thatindicate to a driver presence of another overtaking vehicle in a sidelane adjacent to the equipped vehicle. The exterior rearview mirror maycomprise a foldable mirror assembly, such as a powerfold mirror wherethe mirror head is pivotable between a drive or use position and afolded or park position via an actuator.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an exterior rearview mirror assembly thatincludes a camera, such as a camera having a generally rearward and/orsideward field of view at the side of the vehicle at which the exteriorrearview mirror assembly is mounted. The camera is extendable andpivotable to provide an enhanced rearward field of view, such as inresponse to a user input or other triggering event. The camera ispivoted about a generally vertical pivot axis to adjust an orientationof the camera, such that the camera, when retracted, has a generallyoutboard field of view away from the side of the vehicle, and whenextended, has a generally rearward field of view along the side of thevehicle. The camera is extendable and retractable via a mechanism thatextends and retracts the camera while also correspondingly rotating thecamera about its generally vertical pivot axis.

The present invention thus provides a camera that, when retracted, has afield of view that encompasses a blind spot region of the vehicle and,when extended, extends outboard of a width of a trailer towed by thevehicle and has a field of view that encompasses the region along theside of the trailer. The present invention thus provides a camera thathas enhanced viewing rearward and sideward of the vehicle, particularlywhen the vehicle is towing a trailer that may be wider than the width ofthe vehicle itself.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of thepresent invention will become apparent upon review of the followingspecification in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of another exterior rearview mirrorassembly of the present invention, having a camera disposed thereat;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the exterior rearview mirrorassembly of FIG. 1, shown with the camera extended laterally outwardfrom the mirror head in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a rearward viewing elevation of the exterior rearview mirrorassembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a rearward viewing elevation of the exterior rearview mirrorassembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the exterior rearview mirror assembly ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the exterior rearview mirror assembly ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a rearward viewing elevation and partial sectional view of theexterior rearview mirror assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a forward viewing elevation of another exterior rearviewmirror assembly of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the exterior rearview mirror assembly ofFIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a forward viewing elevation of the exterior rearview mirrorassembly of FIG. 8, with the camera extended;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the exterior rearview mirror assembly ofFIG. 9, with the camera extended;

FIG. 12 is a forward viewing elevation of an exterior rearview mirrorassembly of the present invention, with the camera extended, showingthat the camera may be positioned at different locations depending onthe width of the trailer being towed by the vehicle;

FIG. 13A is a top plan view of a vehicle equipped with the exteriorrearview mirror assembly of the present invention, shown with the cameraretracted;

FIG. 13B is a top plan view of a vehicle equipped with the exteriorrearview mirror assembly of the present invention, shown with the cameraextended to enhance the rearward field of view rearward and sideward ofa trailer being towed by the vehicle;

FIG. 14 is a schematic showing positioning links that extend and retractthe camera and that pivot the camera in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic showing the mirror assembly and camera andpositioning links of FIG. 14, shown with the camera retracted;

FIG. 16 is another schematic showing the mirror assembly and camera andpositioning links of FIG. 14, shown with the camera extended;

FIG. 17 is a forward viewing elevation of another exterior rearviewmirror assembly of the present invention, shown with the cameraretracted and a video display screen disposed outboard of the mirrorreflective element;

FIG. 18 is a forward viewing elevation of the exterior rearview mirrorassembly of FIG. 17, shown with the camera extended;

FIG. 19 is a forward viewing elevation of another exterior rearviewmirror assembly of the present invention, shown with the cameraretracted and a video display screen disposed below the mirrorreflective element; and

FIG. 20 is a forward viewing elevation of the exterior rearview mirrorassembly of FIG. 19, shown with the camera extended.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depictedtherein, an exterior rearview mirror assembly 10 for a vehicle includesa mirror reflective element (12, 112) received in and/or supported at orby a mirror shell or casing or head portion (14, 114). The mirror casingor head portion 14 may be fixedly attached at a mounting arm or base 16at the side of the vehicle or may be movably mounted to a mounting armor base or portion 16, and may comprise a breakaway mirror (where themirror head portion may be manually pivoted about the mounting arm orbase) or may comprise a powerfold mirror (where the mirror head portionmay be pivoted via an actuator assembly or adjustment device). Mountingarm or base 16 of mirror assembly 10 is mounted at the side of a host orsubject vehicle, with the reflective element 12 providing a rearwardfield of view along the respective side of the vehicle to the driver ofthe vehicle. The exterior rearview mirror assembly includes an imagingsensor or camera module 20 (such as a sideward and/or rearward facingimaging sensor or camera that has a sideward/rearward field of view atthe side of the vehicle at which the exterior mirror assembly ismounted) that may be part of or may provide an image output for avehicle vision system, such as a lane departure warning system or objectdetection system or blind zone alert system or surround view visionsystem other vehicle vision system or the like, and may utilize aspectsof various imaging sensors or imaging array sensors or cameras or thelike. The camera module 20 is adjustably mounted at the mirror assemblyand is adjustable between a retracted position (FIGS. 1, 3 and 5) and anextended position (FIGS. 2, 4, 6 and 7) to provide an adjustable andenhanced rearward field of view of the camera, as discussed below. Themirror assembly and camera module may utilize aspects of the mirrorassemblies and camera modules described in U.S. Publication No.US-2014-0376119, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

The camera mirror assembly of the present invention provides reducedwind drag and limits the need for fold-away mirrors on a vehicle.Optionally, and desirably, the camera mirror assembly of the presentinvention may be utilized on a type of vehicle that would be used fortowing a trailer. Special towing mirrors are usually needed for suchcases because the trailer is often wider than the towing vehicle and thedriver needs to be able to see around the trailer.

In order to provide the required field of view around a trailer that istowed by the vehicle, the camera may have an alternate mounting positionthat brings the camera lens outside the width of the trailer. This maybe accomplished by an interchangeable camera mount, or by providing anextendable or telescoping mount or arm 22 in the mirror housing thatallows for movement of the camera to a trailer towing position (FIGS. 2,4, 6 and 7).

In the case of an interchangeable camera mount, the camera may bemounted in a normal driving position on the mirror housing when thevehicle is not towing a trailer. To prepare the vehicle for towing, thecamera can be re-mounted on the mirror housing using an alternativecamera mounting apparatus, or a separate camera with such an extendedmounting apparatus may be substituted for the standard camera.

In applications where sufficient space is available in the design, acamera extension mechanism 24 (FIG. 7) may be employed that allows thecamera to be moved from the normal inboard position to the towingposition without changing the mounting apparatus. The camera movementmay be accomplished manually, or may be powered by a motor and drivemechanism. Such a mechanism may be similar to that used to extend knowntowing mirrors. However, because the camera is smaller and lighter thana typical towing mirror, the extension mechanism can be potentially bemade lighter and cost less.

The camera extension mechanism may operate to not only extend theposition of the camera outboard, but also to rotate the camera for anenhanced or optimal field of view. For example, when the camera isretracted, such as when the vehicle is not towing a trailer, the cameraangle can be rotated outboard to cover the blind zone. However, when thecamera is extended for towing, the camera angle can be rotated morerearward so that the driver can see sideward along the length of thetrailer. The housing of the camera (and the extension arm) preferablyhas an outer surface or cowling to minimize aerodynamic drag and windnoise at the mirror assembly, such as when in its retracted state orextended state.

The extension mechanism may comprise any suitable means for moving thecamera between the retracted state (where the outer surface of thecamera module may generally correspond with the outer surface of themirror casing around where the camera is disposed) and the extendedstate. For example, the extension mechanism may comprise a telescopingarm or a rack and pinion extension mechanism or the like, such as byutilizing aspects of the systems described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,370,983and/or 6,690,268, and/or U.S. Publication No. US-2006-0050018, which arehereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Other typesof drive mechanisms used to extend and retract the camera may includedrive screws, rack and pinion drives, belt and pulley mechanisms, cams,pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders, or powered linkage systems, such as alinkage system utilizing aspects of the mirror assemblies described inU.S. Publication No. US-2015-0360615, which is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

The camera may be extended and retracted responsive to a user input(such as a button or the like disposed in the vehicle) that isactuatable by the driver of the vehicle when the driver is normallyoperating the vehicle. For example, when the driver needs or wants tosee further around the towed trailer (or other object or obstacle at ornear the rear of the vehicle), the driver can actuate the user input,whereby the camera will extend laterally outwards from the mirror headand whereby a display in the vehicle will display video images capturedby the camera for viewing by the driver of the vehicle while normallyoperating the vehicle.

When the camera is retracted (such as when the vehicle is parked orturned off or responsive to the user input or other user input or thelike), the display may continue to display images captured by thecamera. Optionally, the display will no longer display the capturedimages captured by the mirror camera when the camera is retracted.

Optionally, the camera may rotate about the longitudinal axis of theextension arm to provide an enhanced downward field of view of thecamera, such as for use in bird's-eye view or surround view visionsystems or the like, such as of the types discussed below. The extensionand/or pivoting may be done responsive to a user input or responsive tothe bird's-eye view display system operating, such as when the drivershifts the vehicle into reverse gear.

Optionally, the camera may also or otherwise rotate about a generallyvertical pivot axis to adjust the field of view inboard and outboard asthe camera is moved towards its extended and retracted positions. Forexample, and with reference to FIGS. 8-13B, the camera 120 of a mirrorassembly 110 extends and retracts via an extendable/retractable arm 122,such as in a similar manner as described above. However, when camera 120is extended, it is also pivoted or adjusted about a generally verticalpivot axis to adjust its field of view to be more inboard along the sideof the vehicle. This is best seen with reference to FIGS. 13A and 13B.As shown in FIG. 13A, when the camera is retracted, the camera isoriented at the mirror assembly such that its field of view is generallyoutboard away from the side of the vehicle so as to encompass the blindspot region at the side and rear of the vehicle. As shown in FIG. 13B,when the camera is extended, the camera's orientation is adjusted suchthat the camera's field of view is more inboard along the side of thevehicle so as to encompass an area rearward of the vehicle and along theside of and rearward of a trailer being pulled by the vehicle. As alsoshown in FIG. 13B, the extension arm is long enough so as to positionthe camera (when extended) at or near or outboard of the side of thetrailer so as to provide an enhanced field of view to the driver that isrearward and sideward of the trailer being towed by the vehicle.

Typically, trailer tow mirrors are designed to provide the driver afield of view such that they can see all the way down the side of thetrailer being towed by the equipped vehicle. Most states in the U.S.have laws that limit the width of a trailer to 102 inches (8½ ft.). Inorder to properly see around a trailer, a camera in the towing positionshould extend beyond this width (see FIG. 12). Some states limit thetrailer width on most roads to 96 inches (8 ft.) except on theinterstates, and many rear-view mirrors designed for trailer towing onlyextend far enough to see around a 96 inch wide trailer.

Many states also limit the width of the vehicle to 108 inches, includingthe exterior rearview mirrors. This means that when towing a 102 inchwide trailer, the outboard regions of the exterior rearview mirrors mayonly extend about 3 inches beyond the width of the trailer on each side.If a flat mirror that is about 36 inches from the driver's eyes isadjusted so that the driver can see the side of the trailer, theresulting horizontal field of view provided by the mirror would beapproximately 5 degrees. With binocular vision this increases toapproximately 9 degrees. In order to meet or exceed the field of viewprovided by a flat mirror, a camera would need to have a horizontalfield of view of at least 9 degrees.

To cover the entire area between the driver's peripheral vision and theside of the vehicle, the field of view of the camera may beapproximately 90 degrees or more. However, an excessively large field ofview results in difficulty in judging the distance to objects seen withthe system. For this reason, ECE R46, used in many parts of the world,limits the magnification of a rear-view mirror to 0.31 minimum for thedriver side mirror and 0.20 minimum for the passenger side mirror onClass III vehicles (typical non-commercial type), while in the U.S.,FMVSS 111 states that the mirror must be flat glass with 1:1magnification ratio.

If the goal of the mirror assembly is to limit the magnification of thesystem to that specified in the previously mentioned regulations, themaximum field of view allowed for the camera is determined by the widthof the display, the distance between the display and the driver's eyes,and the amount of magnification allowed in the image. This may becalculated with the following formula:

$\alpha = \frac{\tan^{- 1}\left( \frac{W}{d} \right)}{M}$where α is the horizontal field of view of the camera (degrees), W isthe width of the display (meters), d is the distance between the displayand the driver's eyes (meters) and M is the magnification (unitless).Based on the above, the field of view of the camera should be designedto have a field of view somewhere between a minimum of 9 degrees and amaximum of 90 degrees.

When the camera is in the trailer towing position (FIG. 13B), the angleof the camera should be rotated inward toward the vehicle so that thetrailer slightly occludes the field of view. When the driver can see theside of the vehicle or trailer it provides a reference to help thedriver know where they are looking.

When the camera is in the retracted position (FIG. 13A), it may serve tocover the blind spots sideward and rearward of the vehicle. If theexisting exterior rearview mirror provides a field of view of 13degrees, the inboard limit of the camera field of view should bepositioned so as to slightly overlap the outermost limit of the field ofview provided by the mirror.

The mechanism that moves the camera between the retracted and extendedpositions may be designed such that the camera is rotated between thesetwo optimal positions as it is translated from one position to theother, such as discussed below with respect to FIGS. 14-16.

The camera module may be extended and pivoted via any suitableextension/pivoting means, such as an extendable retractable arm and apivoting motor or the like. Optionally, and with reference to FIGS.14-16, a mirror assembly 210 may have a camera module 220 that isextendable and retractable and pivotable relative to the mirror casing214 via an extension/retraction mechanism or linkage system 224. Thelinkage system 224 includes a plurality of linkages that are pivotallymounted at the mirror head or casing and/or at one another and/or at thecamera module. For example, the linkage system may include twopositioning links or arms 226 a, 226 b that pivotally mount at themirror head and that pivotally connect or attach to respective locationsalong a third positioning link or arm 228, which pivotally attaches atthe camera module 220. A camera rotating or pivoting link 230 ispivotally mounted at one end to the positioning link 226 b (betweenwhere the positioning link 226 b attaches to positioning link 228 andwhere the positioning link 226 b attaches at the mirror head) and at theother end at the camera module 220. Thus, when a motor 232 is actuatedto rotate positioning link 226 a about its pivot axis at the mirrorhead, the linkages 226 a, 226 b, 228 and 230 pivot to extend or retractthe camera module relative to the mirror casing while simultaneously andcorrespondingly pivoting or rotating the camera about a generallyvertical axis to adjust the camera's principal axis of its field of viewrelative to the side of the vehicle at which the mirror assembly ismounted.

Thus, and as best shown with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16, the linkages226 a, 226 b, 228 and 230 may be pivoted or adjusted to be substantiallyalong a rear portion of the mirror head or casing (although shown asbeing outside of the mirror casing in FIG. 15, this is for claritypurposes and it is envisioned that the linkages would nest inside themirror casing when in the retracted position of FIG. 15). When theextension motor is actuated to extend the camera (such as responsive toa user input or a trailer towing determination or the like), thelinkages pivot to extend the camera generally laterally outboard fromthe outboard end of the mirror casing while also rotating the cameraabout a generally vertical pivot axis or axes (such as shown in FIG.16). Thus, when retracted (FIG. 15), the principal axis of the camera'sfield of view is generally rearward and outboard away from the side ofthe vehicle so as to encompass the blind spot region at the side andrearward of the equipped vehicle, and when extended (FIG. 16), theprincipal axis of the camera's field of view is generally rearward alongthe side of the vehicle so as to encompass a more rearward region at theside and rearward of a trailer being towed by the equipped vehicle.

While the camera is in the extended position, it may be difficult forpedestrians or other motorists to see due to its relatively small size.To aid in seeing the camera in the extended position, the camera orextension arm may include a clearance lamp or marker light. Modern LEDtechnology allows such a light to be added to the camera module withoutadding excessive weight or requiring a lot more structure in theextension mechanism. For example, one or more LEDs may be included atthe camera housing and may be activated (at either a constant state orflashing state) when the camera is extended from the mirror assembly.

For the convenience of the driver, the mechanism that extends andretracts the camera may be powered by a motor that is controlled by aswitch inside the vehicle. As with many mechanisms which move betweentwo different positions, care needs to be taken that the motor or gearmechanism is not damaged when reaching the end of travel. If the motorstalls, it may overheat and become damaged, or the excessive torquegenerated could cause gear damage. Therefore, it is desirable that meansare provided to shut off the motor or prevent it from stalling. This maybe accomplished using limit switches or sensors, motor over-currentsensing and prevention, clutches, detents, or the like. For example, theextension/retraction mechanism and motor may utilize aspects of thedrive systems described in U.S. Publication Nos. US-2015-0360615;US-2014-0376119; US-2014-0133044 and/or US-2013-0107386, which arehereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

If for any reason the motor that extends and retracts the camera is notworking, perhaps due to a failed motor or drive mechanism, or a blownfuse, the drive should still have the ability to manually extend orretract the camera until the motor can be fixed or replaced. Such amanual override function of the positioning mechanism may beaccomplished using clutches, detents, or even a manually operatedrelease mechanism that disconnects the extending and retractingmechanism from the drive mechanism. Alternatively, the drive mechanismmay be designed to be back-driven when sufficient force is manuallyapplied.

Optionally, the camera may be extended and retracted by stepper motorcontrol. The camera may be used for trailer towing conditions or otherdriving conditions. The camera may extend/retract responsive to a userinput, whereby the driver can choose to extend the camera at any timethat he or she wants to view displayed images derived from image datacaptured by the extended camera.

To prevent damage to the camera and/or the camera extension arm and/orsurrounding obstacles, the arm may be designed such that it can pivotforward or rearward (and/or upward or downward) upon impact, similar tofold-away or break-away exterior rear view mirrors. For example, thecamera may impact the side of a garage door opening, a utility pole, oreven another vehicle. Preventing damage to the camera or the impactedobstacle or to the mirror assembly may be accomplished using a pivotwith a detent or clutch, with a break-away linkage that can easily bere-attached, or even by back-driving the drive mechanism. Alternatively,the camera extension arm may be designed to be robust enough to causethe entire rear-view mirror head to fold away upon impact.

Optionally, the camera and/or extension arm can be detached from themirror housing without removing the mirror from the vehicle, to easereplacement of camera. The camera thus may be readily detached from theextension arm and replaced, or the camera and extension arm may bereadily detached from the mirror assembly and replaced. For example, thecamera may be snapped in and out from the end of the extension arm forreplacement, such as by a service technician.

Although described at being disposed at and extendable from an exteriorrearview mirror assembly, the extendable/retractable/adjustable cameraof the present invention can be used elsewhere at the vehicle. Forexample, the camera may extend from another element, such as from thevehicle door handle or a side portion of vehicle. Because a vehicle doorhandle (or other element) may not have the depth to receive a laterallyextending arm when the arm is retracted, the extendable/retractable armor mechanism of the camera may flip out from the door handle or element(where the arm is disposed along a portion of the door handle or elementwhen retracted and pivots or swings or flips outward, such as about agenerally vertical pivot axis, when extended) or may telescopinglyextend/retract at the door handle, in order to provide the desiredextension without requiring the same amount of depth in the handle orelement for the retracted arm and camera.

Optionally, the camera, when extended, can be user manipulated orcontrolled to adjust the field of view of the camera. For example, thecamera (such as when extended) may be adjusted by the driver of thevehicle (such as via a joystick or other user input button or toggle inthe vehicle) to provide a desired field of view and displayed images,such as for a spotlight camera (where the camera's field of view isadjusted to encompass a region illuminated by a spotlight of the mirror,such as a spotlight as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,764,256, which ishereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). The camerathus may be manually adjusted or rotated or pivoted to change its fieldof view to encompass regions rearward of the vehicle, sideward of thevehicle and forward of the vehicle and the like.

Optionally, and desirably, the camera has a wide angle or fisheye fieldof view, whereby processing of captured image data by an image processormay be used to achieve the desired displayed images.

The display device that displays images derived from image data capturedby the camera or cameras of the exterior rearview mirror assembly orassemblies may be any suitable display that is operable to display videoimages viewable by the driver of the vehicle while normally operatingthe vehicle. For example, the display device or video display screen maybe disposed at a console of the vehicle or at the interior rearviewmirror assembly of the vehicle or at a door-mounted console or displaydevice, such that the driver may readily view the displayed video imageswhile driving the vehicle.

Optionally, the display device may be disposed at the exterior rearviewmirror assembly such that the driver can readily view the displayedimages and readily understand the meaning of the displayed images. Forexample, and such as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, an exterior rearviewmirror assembly 310 includes a rear view mirror reflective element 312and a video display screen 330 disposed outboard of the mirrorreflective element and operable to display video images derived fromimage data captured by a camera 320 of the mirror assembly 310.Optionally, for example, and such as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, anexterior rearview mirror assembly 310′ includes a rear view mirrorreflective element 312′ and a video display screen 330′ disposed belowthe mirror reflective element and operable to display video imagesderived from image data captured by a camera 320′ of the mirror assembly310′.

The camera may comprise any suitable camera, and may be fixedly mountedat the mirror assembly or may be extendable and retractable relative tothe mirror assembly, such as by utilizing aspects of theextension/retraction mechanisms discussed above. Optionally, the digitalspotter video display 330, 330′ may be automatically actuated to displaycaptured images responsive to extension of the camera (FIG. 18).Optionally, the video display 330, 330′ may be selectively actuated ordeactuated, such as responsive to a user input actuated by the driver ofthe vehicle or such as responsive to a blind spot detection system,whereby the video display may be actuated when another vehicle isdetermined to be in the blind spot of the equipped vehicle (and such asalso responsive to actuation of turn signal indicator of the equippedvehicle or other indication that the driver of the equipped vehicle maychange lanes into the lane occupied by the determined other vehicle).

Thus, a display is provided at which streaming video can be shown from afixedly mounted or extendable mounted camera at the exterior rearviewmirror assemblies. The display is disposed at the exterior rearviewmirror assembly and at or near the exterior mirror reflective element.This location offers an intuitive position for rearward vision checksfor lane changes and monitoring the blind spot as opposed to showing thecamera image on a display in the interior of the vehicle.

The display can be mounted adjacent to a primary view rearview mirrorreflective element in either a vertical or horizontal orientation oneither side (inboard/outboard or top/bottom). The display may be fixedlyattached at the mirror head assembly (such as fixed relative to themirror casing) or may be attached at the mirror reflective elementholder (and thus adjustable with the mirror reflective element when thereflective element is adjusted to adjust the viewing angle). Optionally,the display may be mounted behind the mirror reflective element as adisplay on demand type of display that is viewable through atransflective (partially transmissive and partially reflective) mirrorreflector of the mirror reflective element or may be mounted behind anetched/clear or non-reflective window of the mirror reflective elementso as to be viewable through the window of the mirror reflector of themirror reflective element. If attached at the mirror head assembly, thebezel can provide a visor to reduce direct light reflections and glarefrom the display surface as well as minimize off angle viewing of thedisplay to other drivers.

Optionally, the display may have directional film or films to direct thedisplayed images towards the driver so as to optimize the viewing angleof the driver. Optionally, for exterior robustness against impacts,abrasions and/or the like, the display may be attached at a clear frontglass element or substrate (either mechanically or optically bonded withadhesive), so that the display screen itself is not exposed to theelements at the exterior rearview mirror assembly.

Therefore, the present invention provides an extendable and retractablecamera at an exterior rearview mirror assembly of a vehicle, with thecamera being extendable for trailer towing applications so that thecamera is disposed farther out from the side of the vehicle to provideenhanced viewing along a side of a trailer being towed by the vehicle(with the trailer possibly being wider than the vehicle). When thecamera is extended, the camera is also pivoted to direct its field ofview more rearward to provide enhanced viewing along the side of thevehicle and towed trailer. The extension/retraction mechanism or systemmay be operated in response to a user input or may automaticallyextend/retract/pivot the camera responsive to a triggering event, suchas when the mirror is extended or pivoted or when it is determined thatthe vehicle is towing a trailer or the like. The pivoting of the camerais done in conjunction with the extension/retraction (such as via thepivoting linkages or the like), but may be done via a separate pivotingfunction (such as via a motor that pivots the camera relative to anextension/retraction arm that moves the camera inward and outwardrelative to the mirror head, with the pivot motor being operableindependently of the extension/retraction motor), while remaining withinthe spirit and scope of the present invention.

Optionally, an exterior rearview mirror assembly of the presentinvention may include a spotter mirror element to provide a wide anglerearward field of view to the driver of the vehicle equipped with themirror assembly. The spotter mirror element may utilize aspects of themirrors described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,255,451; 7,195,381; 6,717,712;7,126,456; 6,315,419; 7,097,312; 6,522,451; 6,315,419; 5,080,492;5,050,977; 5,033,835; 8,021,005; 7,934,844; 7,887,204; 7,824,045 and/or7,748,856, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

Optionally, the exterior mirror element of a mirror assembly may includeheater pad or film or element at a rear surface of the mirror reflectiveelement. The heater pad or element at the rear surface of the glasssubstrate may comprise a mirror defrost/demisting heater and may providean anti-fogging of de-fogging feature to the exterior mirror assembly,and may utilize aspects of the heater elements or pads described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 8,058,977; 7,400,435; 5,808,777; 5,610,756 and/or 5,446,576,and/or U.S. Publication Nos. US-2008-0011733 and/or US-2011-0286096,which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Optionally, the mirror assembly may include a blind spot indicatorand/or a turn signal indicator, such as an indicator or indicators ofthe types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,198,409; 5,929,786 and/or5,786,772, and/or International Publication Nos. WO 2007/005942 and/orWO 2008/051910, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties. The signal indicator or indication module may includeor utilize aspects of various light modules or systems or devices, suchas the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,581,859; 6,227,689;6,582,109; 5,371,659; 5,497,306; 5,669,699; 5,823,654; 6,176,602 and/or6,276,821, and/or International Publication No. WO 2006/124682, whichare hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Such an indicator or indicators may function as a lane change assist(LCA) indicator or indicators and/or a blind spot indicator orindicators. Such blind spot indicators are typically activated when anobject is detected (via a side object or blind spot detection system orthe like such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,038,577; 6,882,287;6,198,409; 5,929,786; 5,786,772 and/or 7,720,580, and/or InternationalPublication No. WO 2007/005942, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties) at the side and/or rear of the vehicle(at the blind spot) and when the turn signal is also activated, so as toprovide an alert to the driver of the host vehicle that there is anobject or vehicle in the lane next to the host vehicle at a time whenthe driver of the host vehicle intends to move over into the adjacentlane. Optionally, and alternately, the indicator or indicators mayfunction as a lane change assist indicator or indicators, where the hostvehicle may be detected to be moving into an adjacent lane without theturn signal being activated, and an object or vehicle may be detected atthe adjacent lane, whereby the LCA indicator or indicators may beactivated to provide an alert to the driver of the lane change to assistthe driver in avoiding unintentional lane changes and/or lane changeswhen a vehicle or object is detected in the adjacent lane.

The blind spot indicators thus may be operable to provide an indicationto the driver of the host vehicle that an object or other vehicle hasbeen detected in the lane or area adjacent to the side of the hostvehicle. The blind spot indicator may be operable in association with ablind spot detection system, which may include an imaging sensor orsensors, or an ultrasonic sensor or sensors, or a sonar sensor orsensors or the like. For example, the blind spot detection system mayutilize aspects of the blind spot detection and/or imaging systemsdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,038,577; 6,882,287; 6,198,409; 5,929,786;5,786,772; 7,881,496 and/or 7,720,580, and/or of the reverse or backupaid systems, such as the rearwardly directed vehicle vision systemsdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,550,677; 5,760,962; 5,670,935; 6,201,642;6,396,397; 6,498,620; 6,717,610 6,757,109 and/or 7,005,974, and/or ofthe automatic headlamp controls described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,796,094;5,715,093 and/or 7,526,103, and/or of the rain sensors described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 6,250,148 and 6,341,523, and/or of other imaging systems, suchas the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,353,392 and 6,313,454, whichmay utilize various imaging sensors or imaging array sensors or camerasor the like, such as a CMOS imaging array sensor, a CCD sensor or othersensors or the like, such as the types disclosed in commonly assigned,U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,550,677; 5,760,962; 6,097,023 and/or 5,796,094, and/orInternational Publication No. WO 2004/047421, with all of the abovereferenced U.S. patents and PCT publications being commonly assigned andbeing hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

The reflective element of the rearview mirror assembly of vehicles mayinclude an auxiliary wide angle or spotter mirror portion, such as thetypes described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,255,451; 7,195,381; 6,717,712;7,126,456; 6,315,419; 7,097,312; 6,522,451; 6,315,419; 5,080,492;5,050,977 and/or 5,033,835, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties, and optionally may have an integrallyformed auxiliary mirror reflector, such as the types described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 8,917,437; 8,736,940; 8,021,005; 7,934,844; 7,887,204;7,824,045 and 7,748,856, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties.

The mirror assembly may comprise any suitable construction, such as, forexample, a mirror assembly with the reflective element being nested inthe mirror casing and with the mirror casing having a curved or beveledperimeter edge around the reflective element and with no overlap ontothe front surface of the reflective element (such as by utilizingaspects of the mirror assemblies described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,255,451;7,289,037; 7,360,932; 8,049,640; 8,277,059 and/or 8,529,108, or such asa mirror assembly having a rear substrate of an electro-optic orelectrochromic reflective element nested in the mirror casing, and withthe front substrate having curved or beveled perimeter edges, or such asa mirror assembly having a prismatic reflective element that is disposedat an outer perimeter edge of the mirror casing and with the prismaticsubstrate having curved or beveled perimeter edges, such as described inU.S. Des. Pat. Nos. D633,423; D633,019; D638,761 and/or D647,017, and/orInternational Publication Nos. WO 2010/124064, WO 2011/044312, WO2012/051500, WO 2013/071070 and/or WO 2013/126719, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties (and withelectrochromic and prismatic mirrors of such construction arecommercially available from the assignee of this application under thetrade name INFINITY™ mirror).

The mirror assembly may comprise or utilize aspects of other types ofcasings or the like, such as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,338,177;7,289,037; 7,249,860; 6,439,755; 4,826,289 and/or 6,501,387, which areall hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, withoutaffecting the scope of the present invention. For example, the mirrorassembly may utilize aspects of the flush or frameless or bezellessreflective elements described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,626,749; 7,360,932;7,289,037; 7,255,451; 7,274,501 and/or 7,184,190, and/or in U.S. Pat.Pub. Nos. US-2006-0061008 and/or US-2006-0050018, which are all herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

The imaging sensor (such as a sideward and/or rearward facing imagingsensor or camera that has a sideward/rearward field of view at the sideof the vehicle at which the exterior mirror assembly is mounted) may bepart of or may provide an image output for a vehicle vision system, suchas a lane departure warning system or object detection system or blindzone alert system or surround view vision system other vehicle visionsystem or the like, and may utilize aspects of various imaging sensorsor imaging array sensors or cameras or the like, such as a CMOS imagingarray sensor, a CCD sensor or other sensors or the like, such as thetypes described in U.S. Pat. Nos. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,550,677; 5,670,935;5,760,962; 6,498,620; 6,396,397; 6,222,447; 6,201,642; 6,097,023;5,877,897; 5,796,094; 5,715,093; 6,922,292; 6,757,109; 6,717,610;6,590,719; 6,320,176; 6,559,435; 6,831,261; 6,806,452; 6,822,563;6,946,978; 7,038,577; 7,004,606; 7,720,580 and/or 8,786,704, which areall hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.Optionally, for example, the vehicle vision system (utilizing a forwardfacing camera and a rearward facing camera and other cameras disposed atthe vehicle with exterior fields of view) may be part of or may providea display of a top-down view or birds-eye view system of the vehicle ora surround view at the vehicle, such as by utilizing aspects of thevision systems described International Publication Nos. WO 2010/099416;WO 2011/028686; WO 2012/075250; WO 2013/019795; WO 2012-075250; WO2012/154919; WO 2012/0116043; WO 2012/0145501; WO 2012/0145313; WO2012/145822; WO 2013/081985; WO 2013/086249 and/or WO 2013/109869,and/or U.S. Publication No. US-2012-0162427, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Changes and modifications in the specifically described embodiments maybe carried out without departing from the principles of the presentinvention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of theappended claims as interpreted according to the principles of patentlaw.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A exterior rearview mirror assembly for avehicle, said exterior rearview mirror assembly comprising: a mirrorhead and a mounting base; wherein said mirror head comprises a mirrorcasing and a reflective element; wherein said mounting base isconfigured for attachment of said exterior rearview mirror assembly at abody side of an equipped vehicle; a camera module disposed at saidmirror head; said camera module comprising a camera having a field ofview exterior of the equipped vehicle when said exterior rearview mirrorassembly is attached at the equipped vehicle; said camera operable tocapture image data; wherein said camera module is extendable andretractable relative to said mirror casing; wherein, with said cameramodule retracted and with said exterior rearview mirror assemblyattached at the equipped vehicle, said camera module is oriented suchthat the field of view of said camera encompasses a blind spot region atleast at the body side of the equipped vehicle; wherein, with saidcamera module extended and with said exterior rearview mirror assemblyattached at the equipped vehicle, said camera module is oriented suchthat the field of view of said camera encompasses a region at leastalong a body side of a trailer being towed by the equipped vehicle;wherein the equipped vehicle comprises a display screen viewable by adriver of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said display screen isoperable to display video images derived from image data captured bysaid camera of said camera module when said exterior rearview mirrorassembly is attached at the equipped vehicle; and wherein the horizontalfield of view of said camera is in accordance with the followingformula: $\alpha = \frac{\tan^{- 1}\left( \frac{W}{d} \right)}{M}$ whereα is the horizontal field of view of said camera (degrees), W is thewidth of said display screen (meters), d is the distance between saiddisplay screen and the driver's eyes (meters), and M is themagnification (unitless).
 2. A exterior rearview mirror assembly for avehicle, said exterior rearview mirror assembly comprising: a mirrorhead and a mounting base; wherein said mirror head comprises a mirrorcasing and a reflective element; wherein said mounting base isconfigured for attachment of said exterior rearview mirror assembly at abody side of an equipped vehicle; a camera module disposed at saidmirror head; said camera module comprising a camera having a field ofview exterior of the equipped vehicle when said exterior rearview mirrorassembly is attached at the equipped vehicle; said camera operable tocapture image data; wherein said camera module is extendable andretractable relative to said mirror casing; wherein, with said cameramodule retracted and with said exterior rearview mirror assemblyattached at the equipped vehicle, said camera module is oriented suchthat the field of view of said camera encompasses a blind spot region atleast at the body side of the equipped vehicle; wherein, with saidcamera module extended and with said exterior rearview mirror assemblyattached at the equipped vehicle, said camera module is oriented suchthat the field of view of said camera encompasses a region at leastalong a body side of a trailer being towed by the equipped vehicle; andwherein said camera module is extendable and retractable via a mechanismthat extends and retracts said camera module and that pivots said cameramodule about a vertical pivot axis.
 3. The exterior rearview mirrorassembly of claim 2, wherein, with said camera module retracted and withsaid exterior rearview mirror assembly attached at the equipped vehicle,the field of view of said camera partially overlaps a field of viewprovided by the reflective element of said exterior rearview mirrorassembly.
 4. The exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 2, whereinthe equipped vehicle comprises a display screen viewable by a driver ofthe equipped vehicle, and wherein said display screen is operable todisplay video images derived from image data captured by said camera ofsaid camera module when said exterior rearview mirror assembly isattached at the equipped vehicle.
 5. The exterior rearview mirrorassembly of claim 4, wherein the field of view of said camera isdetermined by at least one of (a) the width of said display screen, (b)the distance between said display screen and the driver's eyes, and (c)the amount of magnification allowed in video images displayed by saiddisplay screen.
 6. The exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 2,wherein the field of view of said camera comprises a principal axis, andwherein the principal axis of the field of view of said camera isdirected at least partially outwardly away from the body side of theequipped vehicle when said camera module is retracted and with saidexterior rearview mirror assembly attached at the equipped vehicle. 7.The exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 6, wherein the principalaxis of the rearward field of view of said camera is directed at leastpartially rearward along the body side of the equipped vehicle when saidcamera module is extended and with said exterior rearview mirrorassembly attached at the equipped vehicle.
 8. The exterior rearviewmirror assembly of claim 2, wherein the field of view of said camera isbetween a minimum of 9 degrees and a maximum of 90 degrees.
 9. Theexterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 2, wherein, with said cameramodule extended and with said exterior rearview mirror assembly attachedat the equipped vehicle, said camera is oriented inward toward theequipped vehicle so that the trailer at least partially occludes thefield of view of said camera.
 10. The exterior rearview mirror assemblyof claim 2, wherein the equipped vehicle comprises a display screenviewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said displayscreen is operable to display video images derived from image datacaptured by said camera of said camera module when said exteriorrearview mirror assembly is attached at the equipped vehicle, andwherein, with said camera module extended and with said exteriorrearview mirror assembly attached at the equipped vehicle, the driverviewing said display screen sees the body side of the trailer beingtowed.
 11. The exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 2, whereinextension and retraction of said camera module is motorized.
 12. Theexterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 2, wherein extension andretraction of said camera module is powered by a motor that iscontrolled by a switch inside the equipped vehicle that is operable by adriver of the equipped vehicle when said exterior rearview mirrorassembly is attached at the equipped vehicle.
 13. A exterior rearviewmirror assembly for a vehicle, said exterior rearview mirror assemblycomprising: a mirror head and a mounting base; wherein said mirror headcomprises a mirror casing and a reflective element; wherein saidmounting base is configured for attachment of said exterior rearviewmirror assembly at a body side of an equipped vehicle; a camera moduledisposed at said mirror head; said camera module comprising a camerahaving a field of view exterior of the equipped vehicle when saidexterior rearview mirror assembly is attached at the equipped vehicle;said camera operable to capture image data; wherein said camera moduleis extendable and retractable relative to said mirror casing; wherein,with said camera module retracted and with said exterior rearview mirrorassembly attached at the equipped vehicle, said camera module isoriented such that the field of view of said camera encompasses a blindspot region at least at the body side of the equipped vehicle; wherein,with said camera module extended and with said exterior rearview mirrorassembly attached at the equipped vehicle, said camera module isoriented such that the field of view of said camera encompasses a regionat least along a body side of a trailer being towed by the equippedvehicle; and wherein the equipped vehicle comprises a display screenviewable by a driver of the equipped vehicle, and wherein said displayscreen is operable to display video images derived from image datacaptured by said camera of said camera module when said exteriorrearview mirror assembly is attached at the equipped vehicle, andwherein display by said display screen of video images derived fromimage data captured by said camera is automatically actuated responsiveto a blind spot detection system of the equipped vehicle determininganother vehicle to be in a blind spot of the equipped vehicle.
 14. Theexterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 13, wherein said displayscreen is disposed at said exterior rearview mirror assembly.
 15. Anexterior rearview mirror assembly for a vehicle, said exterior rearviewmirror assembly comprising: a mirror head and a mounting base; whereinsaid mirror head comprises a mirror casing and a reflective element;wherein said mounting base is configured for attachment of said exteriorrearview mirror assembly at a body side of an equipped vehicle; a cameramodule disposed at said mirror head; said camera module comprising acamera having a field of view exterior of the equipped vehicle when saidexterior rearview mirror assembly is attached at the equipped vehicle;said camera operable to capture image data; wherein said camera moduleis extendable and retractable relative to said mirror casing; wherein,with said camera module retracted and with said exterior rearview mirrorassembly attached at the equipped vehicle, said camera module isoriented such that the field of view of said camera encompasses a blindspot region at least at the body side of the equipped vehicle; wherein,with said camera module retracted and with said exterior rearview mirrorassembly attached at the equipped vehicle, the field of view of saidcamera partially overlaps a field of view provided by the reflectiveelement of said exterior rearview mirror assembly; wherein the equippedvehicle comprises a display screen viewable by a driver of the equippedvehicle, and wherein said display screen is operable to display videoimages derived from image data captured by said camera of said cameramodule when said exterior rearview mirror assembly is attached at theequipped vehicle; and wherein said camera module is extendable andretractable via a mechanism that extends and retracts said camera moduleand that pivots said camera module about a vertical pivot axis.
 16. Theexterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 15, wherein the field of viewof said camera is between a minimum of 9 degrees and a maximum of 90degrees.
 17. The exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 16, whereinthe field of view of said camera is determined by the amount ofmagnification allowed in video images displayed by said display screen.18. The exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 15, wherein the fieldof view of said camera comprises a principal axis, and wherein theprincipal axis of the field of view of said camera is directed at leastpartially outwardly away from the body side of the equipped vehicle whensaid camera module is retracted and with said exterior rearview mirrorassembly attached at the equipped vehicle, and wherein the principalaxis of the rearward field of view of said camera is directed at leastpartially rearward along the body side of the equipped vehicle when saidcamera module is extended and with said exterior rearview mirrorassembly attached at the equipped vehicle.
 19. The exterior rearviewmirror assembly of claim 18, wherein, with said camera module extendedand with said exterior rearview mirror assembly attached at the equippedvehicle, said camera module is oriented such that the field of view ofsaid camera encompasses a region at least along a body side of a trailerbeing towed by the equipped vehicle.
 20. An exterior rearview mirrorassembly for a vehicle, said exterior rearview mirror assemblycomprising: a mirror head and a mounting base; wherein said mirror headcomprises a mirror casing and a reflective element; wherein saidmounting base is configured for attachment of said exterior rearviewmirror assembly at a body side of an equipped vehicle; a camera moduledisposed at said mirror head; said camera module comprising a camerahaving a field of view exterior of the equipped vehicle when saidexterior rearview mirror assembly is attached at the equipped vehicle;said camera operable to capture image data; wherein said camera moduleis extendable and retractable relative to said mirror casing; wherein,with said camera module retracted and with said exterior rearview mirrorassembly attached at the equipped vehicle, said camera module isoriented such that the field of view of said camera encompasses a blindspot region at least at the body side of the equipped vehicle; whereinextension and retraction of said camera module is motorized; wherein theequipped vehicle comprises a display screen viewable by a driver of theequipped vehicle, and wherein said display screen is operable to displayvideo images derived from image data captured by said camera of saidcamera module when said exterior rearview mirror assembly is attached atthe equipped vehicle; and wherein display by said display screen ofvideo images derived from image data captured by said camera isautomatically actuated responsive to a blind spot detection system ofthe equipped vehicle determining another vehicle to be in the blind spotof the equipped vehicle.
 21. The exterior rearview mirror assembly ofclaim 20, wherein the field of view of said camera comprises a principalaxis, and wherein the principal axis of the field of view of said camerais directed at least partially outwardly away from the body side of theequipped vehicle when said camera module is retracted and with saidexterior rearview mirror assembly attached at the equipped vehicle, andwherein the principal axis of the rearward field of view of said camerais directed at least partially rearward along the body side of theequipped vehicle when said camera module is extended and with saidexterior rearview mirror assembly attached at the equipped vehicle. 22.The exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 20, wherein, with saidcamera module extended and with said exterior rearview mirror assemblyattached at the equipped vehicle, said camera module is oriented suchthat the field of view of said camera encompasses a region at leastalong a body side of a trailer being towed by the equipped vehicle. 23.The exterior rearview mirror assembly of claim 20, wherein, with saidcamera module retracted and with said exterior rearview mirror assemblyattached at the equipped vehicle, the field of view of said camerapartially overlaps a field of view provided by the reflective element ofsaid exterior rearview mirror assembly, and wherein the field of view ofsaid camera is between a minimum of 9 degrees and a maximum of 90degrees.